GDPR

Definition

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law enacted by the European Union in May 2018 to enhance individuals' control over their personal data. It establishes strict guidelines for the collection, storage, and processing of personal information, significantly impacting how organizations handle data. The regulation emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the need for explicit consent from individuals before their data can be processed, making it a crucial aspect of privacy and confidentiality in various fields, including research.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. GDPR applies to all organizations that process personal data of individuals within the EU, regardless of where the organization is located.
2. One of the key principles of GDPR is that individuals have the right to access their personal data and request corrections or deletions.
3. Organizations must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) if they process large amounts of sensitive data or engage in systematic monitoring of individuals.
4. Failure to comply with GDPR can result in hefty fines for organizations, amounting to up to €20 million or 4% of the global annual revenue, whichever is higher.
5. GDPR also strengthens data protection rights for individuals by introducing measures like the right to data portability and the right to be forgotten.

Review Questions

• How does GDPR enhance individual control over personal data and impact research practices?
  • GDPR enhances individual control over personal data by granting rights such as access, correction, deletion, and portability. In research practices, this means researchers must obtain explicit consent from participants before collecting or processing their data. They also need to ensure transparency about how the data will be used and stored. This regulation requires researchers to rethink their data handling methods to align with these privacy protections.
• What are the implications of GDPR for organizations conducting research involving personal data?
  • Organizations conducting research involving personal data must comply with GDPR regulations, which impose strict requirements on how data is collected and processed. This includes ensuring that participants provide informed consent and that their data is stored securely. Organizations also need to establish clear policies on data retention and deletion. Non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties and damage to reputation.
• Evaluate how GDPR influences the ethical considerations surrounding privacy and confidentiality in research.
  • GDPR significantly influences ethical considerations in research by mandating that researchers prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of participants' data. This regulation forces researchers to adopt ethical practices that emphasize informed consent and transparency about data usage. Additionally, GDPR promotes accountability within research projects by requiring organizations to document their compliance efforts. As a result, researchers are more conscientious about protecting participant information while balancing the need for valuable insights derived from their studies.

Related terms

Personal Data: Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual, such as names, email addresses, identification numbers, or location data.

Data Processing: Any operation performed on personal data, including collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, alteration, retrieval, use, disclosure, and destruction.

Consent: An individual's voluntary agreement to allow an organization to process their personal data, which must be informed, specific, and unambiguous.